With a second left in the first quarter of its Nov. 1 clash with Mater Dei, St. John Bosco took over at its own 20-yard line. Offensive coordinator Chad Johnson walked to the huddle and called for a play the Braves had practiced countless times but had yet to use in a game.

“My eyes got real big,” Jaleel Wadood said.

For the first time this season, the ball was handed off to Wadood. Lined up in the slot left of quarterback Josh Rosen, he motioned backward and to his right, took the ball and followed running back Sean McGrew around the right side of the offensive line.

It wasn't until Wadood had amassed 60 yards that he was taken down.

In high school football, there are two-way players and then there are two-way stars. Then there is Wadood, the Braves' do-everything senior who is seemingly always moving and seldom sees the sideline. He's a dangerous slot receiver. He's a playmaking safety. He's an elusive kick and punt returner. And he does it all at an extremely high level.

It would be tough to pinpoint a more important all-around player to St. John Bosco's success than Wadood, who has committed to play collegiately at Cal. His play and leadership on both sides of the ball have been key to the Braves' 9-0 start that leaves them a win tonight against Servite from finishing a perfect regular season and clinching the Pac-5's top playoff seed.

“It's difficult to put into words,” said St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro, “but his play on the field certainly has been at the highest level that anybody has played at within our program over the last couple of years.”

During games, many in the crowd marvel at Wadood's long runs or impressive tackles. One man in particular, sitting toward the top of the bleachers among the other football dads, watches in amazement.

“He's special, man,” he will say. “And nobody really knows his story and what he's had to endure.”

Haamid Wadood has a unique perspective. For the first 13 days of his son's life, he was a nervous wreck.

Enduring rough times

From the very beginning, it has been just Jaleel and his father. That's neither an exaggeration nor an oversimplification.

Haamid was the one to change the diapers and fix the bottles. He bathed his son and took him to day care. Though he had assistance from aunts, uncles, siblings and friends, Haamid basically acted as both mother and father to his son while raising him in South Central Los Angeles.

Haamid was also the one to wait 13 agonizing days before he was able to take his son home from the hospital. Doctors had to conduct tests to make sure the baby's system was clean. The baby's mother battled a drug addiction. Making matters more worrisome for Haamid, she had also been in a car accident during the pregnancy.

“Shoot, it was just like a gift. You know, he was good,” Haamid said this week with a wide smile. “That's why I tell him all the time, he's just really special. He came out of elementary school an honor roll student, never really had a problem with him. I mean, hell, look at him.”

Jaleel Wadood, a star safety and wide receiver for top-ranked St. John Bosco, has felt a huge impact in football and in life from his father, Haamid Wadood. BILL ALKOFER, THE REGISTER
Senior standout Jaleel Wadood is a big reason top-ranked St. John Bosco is a win away from a perfect regular season. BILL ALKOFER, THE REGISTER
St. John Bosco senior Jaleel Wadood breaks away from Santa Margarita defensive back Grant Clancy for a big gain during the Braves' 56-12 win on Oct. 11. THE REGISTER

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